Watchdog Chases Vacuum Retailer Dodgy Sales

The consumer watchdog has taken on Lux vacuum retailer alleging "unconscionable conduct" in selling vacuums to the elderly.

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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it has filed proceedings in the Federal Court against Lux Distributors, alleging unconscionable conduct in relation to the sale of vacuum cleaners to elderly consumers.

The ACCC alleges that between 2009 and 2011, a Lux sales rep called five elderly consumers under the premise of a 'free vacuum cleaner maintenance check.'

The consumers, some of whom were aged over 90, were then allegedly subjected to unfair sales tactics pressuring them into purchasing a vacuum cleaner costing as much as $2280.

This contravened section 51AB of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and section 21 of Australian Consumer Law.